Health risk assessment and metal contamination in fish, water and soil sediments in the East Kolkata Wetlands, India, Ramsar site

Magical role of iron nanoparticles for enhancement of thermal efficiency and gene regulation of fish in response to multiple stresses

The present study addresses the challenges of uncontrolled temperature and pollution in aquatic environments, with a focus on fish ability to tolerate high temperature. The investigation aimed to determine the role of iron nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) in enhancing the thermal tolerance of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus exposed to high-temperature stress, arsenic (As), and ammonia (NH3) toxicity. Fe-NPs were synthesized using green approaches, specifically from fish gill. The dietary Fe-NPs were formulated and supplemented at 10, 15, and 20 mg kg⁻1 of feed. Notably, Fe-NPs at 15 mg kg⁻1 diet significantly reduced the critical thermal minimum (CTmin) (14.44 ± 0.21 °C) and the lethal thermal minimum (LTmin) (13.46 ± 0.15 °C), compared to the control and other treatment groups. Conversely, when Fe-NPs at 15 mg kg⁻1 were supplemented with or without exposure to stressors (As + NH3+T), the critical thermal maximum (CTmax) increased to 47.59 ± 0.16 °C, and the lethal thermal maximum (LTmax) increased to 48.60 ± 0.37 °C, both significantly higher than the control and other groups. A strong correlation was observed between LTmin and CTmin (R2 = 0.90) and between CTmax and LTmax (R2 = 0.98). Furthermore, dietary Fe-NPs at 15 mg kg⁻1 significantly upregulated the expression of stress-related genes, including HSP70, iNOS, Caspase-3a, CYP450, MT, cat, sod, gpx, TNFα, IL, TLR, and Ig. The enhanced thermal tolerance (LTmin and LTmax) can be attributed to these gene regulations, suggesting the mechanistic involvement of Fe-NPs in improving thermal resilience. Overall, the findings demonstrate that dietary supplementation with Fe-NPs, particularly at 15 mg kg⁻1, improves thermal tolerance and stress response in P. hypophthalmus by enhancing gene expression and overall thermal efficiency under stressor conditions.

The Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in the Water and Tissues of Invasive Fish Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782) and Non-carcinogenic Health Risk Assessment from Meriç Delta Wetland, Türkiye

Meriç Delta, which has a wide variety of ecosystems, is an A Class Wetland and the most significant natural stagnant freshwater ecosystem located in the south-western of Thrace Region of Türkiye. In this research, heavy metals (Cr, Ni, As, Cd, and Pb) were investigated in the surface water and Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782) obtained from Meriç Delta lakes (Gala, Pamuklu, Sığırcı, and Dalyan), which are located on an important migration route of water birds. The heavy metals in surface water samples and fish tissues were determined by ICP-MS. Dissolved oxygen, oxygen saturation (%), pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, nitrite nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, and total phosphorus parameters were measured in surface waters. High total phosphorus content was detected in the investigated region. The measured As, Cr, and Ni values in water samples were determined to be higher than Türkiye Regulation Standards criteria. Fish were taken from Gala and Sığırcı Lake. The mean concentrations of measured heavy metals were found to be below permissible values in fish muscle and gill. The target hazard quotient (THQ) and total THQ values (HI) of all heavy metals did not exceed the limit value.

Poison in the water: Arsenic's silent assault on fish health

Arsenic occurs across the world in freshwater and marine environments, menacing the survival of aquatic organisms. Organic and inorganic forms of this substance can be found, in which the inorganic form is more hazardous than the organic form. Most aquatic bodies contain inorganic arsenic species, but organic species are believed to be the dominant form of arsenic in the majority of fish. Natural and anthropogenic both are the sources of water contamination with arsenic. Its bioaccumulation and transfer from one trophic level to another in the aquatic food chain make arsenic a vital environmental issue. Continuous exposure to low concentrations of arsenic in aquatic organisms including fish leads to its bioaccumulation, which may affect organisms of higher trophic levels including large fishes or humans. Humans can be exposed to arsenic through the consumption of fish contaminated with arsenic. Hence, the present review facilitates our understanding about sources of arsenic, its bioaccumulation, food chain transfer, and its effect on the fish health. Also, "Poison in the Water: Arsenic's Silent Assault on Fish Health" serves as a wake-up call to recognize the pressing need to address arsenic contamination in water bodies. By understanding its devastating impact on fish health, we can strive to implement sustainable practices and policies that safeguard our precious aquatic environments and ensure the well-being of both wildlife and human communities that depend on them.

Elucidating the Environmental and Health Risks of Trace Element Pollution in Red Sea Fish from Nuweiba City, Aqaba Gulf, Egypt

Trace element bioaccumulation in marine organisms is a rising international issue due to possible health concerns for humans. Thirteen trace elements were analyzed in the sediment, water, and muscular tissue of Red Sea fish. Additionally, the average daily intake (EDI), the cancer risk (CR), the hazard index (HI), and the target hazard quotient (THQ) of those elements have been taken into consideration when evaluating any possible health concerns related to their consumption. All species presented quantifiable values in muscle for all the analyzed elements (arsenic (As), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), boron (B), iron (Fe), barium (Ba), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), and mercury (Hg), except for Cd and Hg, being Fe and Zn the most accumulated elements in all species. Conversely, in water samples, most elements were undeleted except for aluminum, boron, iron, and zinc. All Red Sea fish, however, had concentrations of Zn, Ni, Fe, Cu, and Mn below the upper limit allowed, although most species had higher levels of As, Cr, and Pb (0.48 ± 0.83-5.10 ± 0.79, 1.97 ± 0.46-5.25 ± 0.67 and 2.12 ± 1.01-6.83 ± 0.93 µg/g, respectively).The studied Red Sea fish showed contamination degrees (CD) of Mn, Cu, Fe, Ni, Zn, and Pb were ≤ 1, indicating minimal contamination, with As and Cr showing higher contamination degrees. However, the pollution index values (MPI-elements) can be represented according to ascending order: Lethrinus ramak < Cephalopholis hemistiktos < Pagellus affinis < Trachurus japonicus < Cheilinus lunulatus < Siganus luridus < Parupeneus forsskali < Caesio suevica. The study found that edible tissues are safe for human consumption, with HI values for children and adults less than ten, indicating negligible non-cancer hazards. However, fish consumption presents health risks due to chromium, lead, and arsenic, with THQ values several times greater than 1, and CR-Ni, CR-Cr, and CR-As values exceeding the acceptable 10-4 value in all studied species. This study provides critical insights into trace element contamination in marine fish species, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and proactive measures to ensure safe marine fish consumption in the Aqaba Gulf.

Unraveling gene regulation mechanisms in fish: insights into multistress responses and mitigation through iron nanoparticles

The recent trend of global warming poses a significant threat to ecosystems worldwide. This global climate change has also impacted the pollution levels in aquatic ecosystems, subsequently affecting human health. To address these issues, an experiment was conducted to investigate the mitigating effects of iron nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) on arsenic and ammonia toxicity as well as high temperature stress (As+NH3+T). Fe-NPs were biologically synthesized using fish waste and incorporated into feed formulations at 10, 15, and 20 mg kg-1 diet. A total of 12 treatments were designed in triplicate following a completely randomized design involving 540 fish. Fe-NPs at 15 mg kg-1 diet notably reduced the cortisol levels in fish exposed to multiple stressors. The gene expressions of HSP 70, DNA damage-inducible protein (DDIP), and DNA damage were upregulated by stressors (As+NH3+T) and downregulated by Fe-NPs. Apoptotic genes (Cas 3a and 3b) and detoxifying genes (CYP 450), metallothionein (MT), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were downregulated by Fe-NPs at 15 mg kg-1 diet in fish subjected to As+NH3+T stress. Immune-related genes such as tumor necrosis factor (TNFα), immunoglobulin (Ig), and interleukin (IL) were upregulated by Fe-NPs, indicating enhanced immunity in fish under As+NH3+T stress. Conversely, Toll-like receptor (TLR) expression was notably downregulated by Fe-NPs at 15 mg kg-1 diet in fish under As+NH3+T stress. Immunological attributes such as nitro blue tetrazolium chloride, total protein, albumin, globulin, A:G ratio, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were improved by dietary Fe-NPs at 15 mg kg-1 diet in fish, regardless of stressors. The antioxidant genes (CAT, SOD, and GPx) were also strengthened by Fe-NPs in fish. Genes associated with growth performance, such as growth hormone regulator (GHR1 and GHRβ), growth hormone (GH), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF 1X and IGF 2X), were upregulated, enhancing fish growth under stress, while SMT and MYST were downregulated by Fe-NPs in the diet. Various growth performance indicators were improved by dietary Fe-NPs at 15 mg kg-1 diet. Notably, Fe-NPs also enhanced arsenic detoxification and reduced the cumulative mortality after a bacterial infection. In conclusion, this study highlights that dietary Fe-NPs can effectively mitigate arsenic and ammonia toxicity as well as high temperature stress by modulating gene expression in fish.

Impacts of Some Trace Metals in Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758) and Tor soro (Valenciennes, 1842) on Human Health

Although fish are rich sources of various trace metals in their bodies, when these metals exceed health safety limits, it becomes a global concern. Fish exposed to trace metal pollution in their aquatic ecosystems can lead to bioaccumulation and transfer to consumers. Monitoring trace metal contamination of fish food is crucial because they can reach humans through the aquatic food chain, resulting in health problems. Therefore, a first attempt was made for the analysis of trace metals in two cyprinid fish species, namely Cyprinus carpio (Common carp) and Tor soro (Mahseer), which were abundantly found in Khanozai Dam and assessing their potential health impacts when consumed by humans. A total of 200 fish specimens were collected from this area. These specimens were divided equally between the two carp species, with 100 individuals from each species. The fish specimens were collected over 12 months, from June 2020 to May 2021 to determine the concentration of some trace metals, i.e. Manganese (Mn), Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), Potassium (K), and Zinc (Zn), Sodium (Na), Phosphorus (P), Magnesium (Mg), and Chlorine (Cl) using a Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer with a multi-element hollow cathode lamp. The obtained results from the trace metal analysis of Cyprinus carpio and Tor soro in this study revealed that both calcium and phosphorus were present in higher concentrations. However, iron, manganese, and zinc were not detected in both species. Additionally, magnesium was also not detected in C. carpio. For Cyprinus carpio, the arrangement was Ca > P > K > Na > Cl, while for Tor soro, it was Ca > P > Na > K > Cl > Mg in decreasing order. The health risks associated with fish consumption were assessed using factors like estimated daily intake (EDI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), and Total Target Hazard Quotient (TTHQ). The THQ values for all analyzed trace metals in both carp species exceeded the maximum value of 1.0, except for Cl in Tor soro. This suggests the potential for various health-related diseases in regular consumers due to their elevated levels. In both species, the TTHQ factor also surpassed the standard value of 1.0, indicating an acute health risk for humans. Although EDI values did not surpass the recommended daily allowance (RDA), continuous consumption of these contaminated fish from this area could lead to severe health complications. Therefore, these results strongly indicated that the elevated levels of trace metals found in the highly abundant cyprinid species of Khanozai Dam could pose serious health-related issues for the local inhabitants.

Effect of fertilization on the accumulation and health risk for heavy metals in native Andean potatoes in the highlands of Perú

Soil infertility is a global problem, amendments such as organic fertilizers and mineral fertilizers are used to improve crop yields. However, these fertilizers contain heavy metals as well as essential mineral elements. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer on the accumulation and health risk of heavy metals in tubers. The plants were cultivated at an altitude of 3970 m using four treatments (poultry manure, alpaca manure, island guano and inorganic fertilizer) and a control group. Soil contamination levels and the degree of metal accumulation in the tubers were also determined. As a result, it was found that the use of inorganic fertilizer and poultry manure increased the values of Cu and Zn in soils, exceeding the recommended standards. The accumulation of heavy metals in potato tubers did not exceed the maximum recommended limits with the exception of Pb, which exceeded the limit allowed by the FAO/WHO (0.1 mg kg-1). Poultry manure contributed to the highest accumulation of Zn, Cu and Pb in tubers with 11.62±1.30, 3.48±0.20 and 0.12 ±0.02 mg kg-1 respectively. The transfer of metals from the soil to the tubers was less than 1. Individual and total non-carcinogenic risk values were less than 1, indicating a safe level of consumption for children and adults. The cancer risk was found to be within an acceptable range. However, poultry manure and inorganic fertilizer treatments had the highest total cancer risk values in both age groups, suggesting a long-term carcinogenic risk.

Exploring the macrominerals and heavy metals profile of deep-sea fishes: A pioneering study on trawl bycatch and discards in the Arabian Sea

This study assesses macrominerals (Na, K, Ca, Mg, P) and heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Se, Sn, Mn, Co, Fe, and Zn) content of deep-sea fish bycatch in the Arabian Sea, offering insights into their nutritional value, toxicant levels and health implications. Variations in Ca, K, P, Mg, and Na levels across species highlight mineral diversity. Setarches guentheri has the highest Ca (7716 mg/kg ww), K (2030.5 mg/kg ww), and P (13,180 mg/kg ww) concentrations. Dactyloptena orientalis exceeds the Cd limit (0.1284 mg/kg ww). Elevated Se levels in fishes were noted, with Dactyloptena orientalis (0.8607 mg/kg ww), Satyrichthys laticeps (0.7303 mg/kg ww), and Snyderina guentheri (0.6193 mg/kg ww). Fish like Pterygotrigla hemisticta contains high Zn (32 mg/kg ww), meeting Recommended Dietary Allowance limits. Deep-sea fish have safe heavy metal levels, but Cd, Se, and Zn exceed acceptable limits. It has been concluded that the consumption of fish species will not pose a potential health risk to humans.

Elemental composition and potential health risk of vegetable cultivated in residential area situated close to abandoned gold mine dump: Characteristics of soil quality on the vegetables

The presence of toxic metals in residential areas near abandoned gold mine tailings is a major environmental issue. This study mainly aimed to investigate the elemental distribution of both toxic and essential elements in soils and leafy vegetables (Brassica oleracea) collected from eight different sites around the Davidsonville residential area, located closer to the abandoned Princess gold mine dump, Johannesburg, South Africa. The nutritional value of vegetables in the human diet was determined to assess their value to their health. The vegetables contained metals in the following descending order: Ca > Mg > Ca > Sb > Pb > Fe > Mo > Cr > Se > As > V > Ni > Co > Cd. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) revealed that vegetables tend to accumulate most metals even (toxic) during the transfer and translocation process. Based on the recommended daily allowance (%RDA) the vegetables showed to contribute 152%, 84% and 75% toward RDA for Se, V and Ca, respectively for most adults and these play a role in human metabolic activities. The vegetables were found to be a good source of essential elements (Ca, Mg, Ni, Na, Fe) but with some traces of toxic metals such as Pb, As and Sb. Based on the health risk assessment, the vegetable posed an adverse health hazard for human consumption due to metals with high HRI >1.

Environmental risk analysis of a Ramsar site: a case study of east Kolkata wetlands with PSR framework

The East Kolkata Wetlands (EKWT), designated as a Ramsar Site for its crucial role in sewage water purification, agriculture and pisciculture, faces escalating environmental threats due to rapid urbanisation. Employing the pressure-state-response (PSR) framework and Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA), this study spans three decades to elucidate the evolving dynamics of EKWT. Using Landsat TM and OLI images from 1991, 2001, 2011 and 2021, the research identifies key parameters within the PSR framework. Principal component analysis generates environmental risk maps, revealing a 46% increase in urbanisation, leading to reduced vegetation cover and altered land surface conditions. The spatial analysis, utilizing Getis-Ord Gi* statistics, pinpoints risk hotspots and coldspots in the EKWT region. Correlation analysis underscores a robust relationship between urbanisation, climatic response and environmental risk. Decadal ERA exposes a noteworthy surge in high-risk areas, indicating a deteriorating trend. Quantitative assessments pinpoint environmental risk hotspots, emphasizing the imperative for targeted conservation measures. The study establishes a direct correlation between environmental risk and air quality, underscoring the broader implications of EKWT's degradation. While acknowledging the East Kolkata administration's efforts, the research recognises its limitations and advocates a holistic, multidisciplinary approach for future investigations. Recommendations encompass the establishment of effective institutions, real-time monitoring, public engagement and robust anti-pollution measures. In offering quantitative insights, this study provides an evidence-based foundation for conservation strategies and sustainable management practices essential to safeguard the East Kolkata Wetlands.

Significance of dietary quinoa husk (Chenopodium quinoa) in gene regulation for stress mitigation in fish

The persistent challenges posed by pollution and climate change are significant factors disrupting ecosystems, particularly aquatic environments. Numerous contaminants found in aquatic systems, such as ammonia and metal toxicity, play a crucial role in adversely affecting aquaculture production. Against this backdrop, fish feed was developed using quinoa husk (the byproduct of quinoa) as a substitute for fish meal. Six isonitrogenous diets (30%) and isocaloric diets were formulated by replacing fish meal with quinoa husk at varying percentages: 0% quinoa (control), 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35%. An experiment was conducted to explore the potential of quinoa husk in replacing fish meal and assess its ability to mitigate ammonia and arsenic toxicity as well as high-temperature stress in Pangasianodon hypophthalmus. The formulated feed was also examined for gene regulation related to antioxidative status, immunity, stress proteins, growth regulation, and stress markers. The gene regulation of sod, cat, and gpx in the liver was notably upregulated under concurrent exposure to ammonia, arsenic, and high-temperature (NH3 + As + T) stress. However, quinoa husk at 25% downregulated sod, cat, and gpx expression compared to the control group. Furthermore, genes associated with stress proteins HSP70 and DNA damage-inducible protein (DDIP) were significantly upregulated in response to stressors (NH3 + As + T), but quinoa husk at 25% considerably downregulated HSP70 and DDIP to mitigate the impact of stressors. Growth-responsive genes such as myostatin (MYST) and somatostatin (SMT) were remarkably downregulated, whereas growth hormone receptor (GHR1 and GHRβ), insulin-like growth factors (IGF1X, IGF2X), and growth hormone gene were significantly upregulated with quinoa husk at 25%. The gene expression of apoptosis (Caspase 3a and Caspase 3b) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were also noticeably downregulated with quinoa husk (25%) reared under stressful conditions. Immune-related gene expression, including immunoglobulin (Ig), toll-like receptor (TLR), tumor necrosis factor (TNFα), and interleukin (IL), strengthened fish immunity with quinoa husk feed. The results revealed that replacing 25% of fish meal with quinoa husk could improve the gene regulation of P. hypophthalmus involved in mitigating ammonia, arsenic, and high-temperature stress in fish.

Biomonitoring of mercury and selenium in commercially important shellfish: Distribution pattern, health benefit assessment and consumption advisories

This study aims to explore the concentrations of Se and Hg in shellfish along the Gulf of Mannar (GoM) coast (Southeast India) and to estimate related risks and risk-based consumption limits for children, pregnant women, and adults. Se concentrations in shrimp, crab, and cephalopods ranged from 0.256 to 0.275 mg kg-1, 0.182 to 0.553 mg kg-1, and 0.176 to 0.255 mg kg-1, respectively, whereas Hg concentrations differed from 0.009 to 0.014 mg kg-1, 0.022 to 0.042 mg kg-1 and 0.011 to 0.024 mg kg-1, respectively. Se and Hg content in bamboo shark (C. griseum) was 0.242 mg kg-1 and 0.082 mg kg-1, respectively. The lowest and highest Se concentrations were found in C. indicus (0.176 mg kg-1) and C. natator (0.553 mg kg-1), while Hg was found high in C. griseum (0.082 mg kg-1) and low in P. vannamei (0.009 mg kg-1). Se shellfishes were found in the following order: crabs > shrimp > shark > cephalopods, while that of Hg were shark > crabs > cephalopods > shrimp. Se in shellfish was negatively correlated with trophic level (TL) and size (length and weight), whereas Hg was positively correlated with TL and size. Hg concentrations in shellfish were below the maximum residual limits (MRL) of 0.5 mg kg-1 for crustaceans and cephalopods set by FSSAI, 0.5 mg kg-1 for crustaceans and 1.0 mg kg-1 for cephalopods and sharks prescribed by the European Commission (EC/1881/2006). Se risk-benefit analysis, the AI (actual intake):RDI (recommended daily intake) ratio was > 100%, and the AI:UL (upper limit) ratio was < 100%, indicating that all shellfish have sufficient level of Se to meet daily requirements without exceeding the upper limit (UL). The target hazard quotient (THQ < 1) and hazard index (HI < 1) imply that the consumption of shellfish has no non-carcinogenic health impacts for all age groups. However, despite variations among the examined shellfish, it was consistently observed that they all exhibited a Se:Hg molar ratio > 1. This finding implies that the consumption of shellfish is generally safe in terms of Hg content. The health benefit indexes, Se-HBV and HBVse, consistently showed high positive values across all shellfish, further supporting the protective influence of Se against Hg toxicity and reinforcing the overall safety of shellfish consumption. Enhancing comprehension of food safety analysis, it is crucial to recognize that the elevated Se:Hg ratio in shellfish may be attributed to regular selenoprotein synthesis and the mitigation of Hg toxicity by substituting Se bound to Hg.

Bioaccumulation of Potentially Toxic Elements in Commercially Important Food Fish Species from Lower Gangetic Stretch: Food Security and Human Health Risk Assessment

Ganga river is the inhabitant of more than 190 fish species and important river system of India. Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the Gangetic riverine ecosystem are a hot environmental issue. A detailed evaluation of PTEs bioaccumulation in Gangetic fishes is required to safeguard human health. The present study investigated the bioaccumulation of PTEs (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn, and Mn) within 12 economic fish species (n = 72) collected from the lower Gangetic stretch. The mean concentrations of PTEs followed the order Zn > Cu > Mn > Ni > Se > Cr > Pb > Co ~ Li > Cd. Li and Se bioaccumulation were studied first time from Gangetic fishes. Results demonstrated that all the selected PTEs were below the maximum permissible limit recommended by reference standards except for Zn in L. catla and L. rohita. For all PTEs, the metal pollution index (MPI), hazard quotient (THQ), and hazard index (HI) were < 1, indicating that these PTEs do not pose a health risk to the public through the dietary intake of fish in this study area. All studied fish were acceptable in terms of carcinogenic risk (CR) from exposure to Cd, Cr, and Pb. Multivariate statistical analysis suggests that inter-correlated metals have similar dispersion properties and bioaccumulation homology within the body. This study provides a scientific basis for food safety assessment and continuous monitoring of PTEs in Gangetic fishes is suggested in the future to safeguard human health.

Copper and nanocopper toxicity using integrated biomarker response in Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

The current study focused on assessing the toxicological effects of copper (Cu) and copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) in acute condition on Pangasianodon hypophthalmus. The median lethal concentration (LC50 ) for Cu and Cu-NPs were determined as 8.04 and 3.85 mg L-1 , respectively. For the subsequent definitive test, varying concentrations were selected: 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, and 9.0 mg L-1 for Cu, and 3.0, 3.3, 3.6, 3.9, and 4.2 mg L-1 for Cu-NPs. To encompass these concentration levels and assess their toxic effects, biomarkers associated with toxicological studies like oxidative stress, neurotransmission, and cellular metabolism were measured in the liver, kidney, and gill tissues. Notably, during the acute test, the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-s-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, and lipid peroxide in the liver, gill, and kidney tissues were significantly increased due to exposure to Cu and Cu-NPs. Similarly, acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain was notably inhibited in the presence of Cu and Cu-NPs when compared to the control group. Cellular metabolic stress was greatly influenced by the exposure to Cu and Cu-NPs, evident from the considerable elevation of cortisol, HSP 70, and blood glucose levels in the treated groups. Furthermore, integrated biomarker response, genotoxicity, DNA damage in gill tissue, karyotyping in kidney tissue, and histopathology in gill and liver were investigated, revealing tissue damage attributed to exposure to Cu and Cu-NPs. In conclusion, this study determined that elevated concentrations of essential trace elements, namely Cu and Cu-NPs, induce toxicity and disrupt cellular metabolic activities in fish.

Decomposition of metal-organic complexes and metal recovery in wastewater: A systematic review and meta-synthesis

Metals are rarely found as free ions in natural and anthropogenic environments, but they are often associated with organic matter and minerals. Under the context of circular economy, metals should be recycled, yet they are difficult to extract for their complex forms in real situations. Based on the protocols of review methodology and the analysis of VOS viewer, there are few reviews on the properties of metal-organic complexes, decomplexation methods, the effect of coexisting ions, the pH influence, and metal recovery methods for the increasingly complicated metal-organic complexes wastewater. Conventional treatment methods such as flocculation, adsorption, biological degradation, and ion exchange fail to decompose metal-organic complexes completely without causing secondary pollution in wastewater. To enhance comprehension of the behavior and morphology exhibited by metal-organic complexes within aqueous solutions, we presented the molecular structure and properties of metal-organic complexes, the decomplexation mechanisms that encompassed both radical and non-radical oxidizing species, including hydroxyl radical (OH), sulfate radical (SO˙4-), superoxide radical (O˙2-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), ozone (O3), and singlet oxygen (1O2). More importantly, we reviewed novel aspects that have not been covered by previous reviews considering the impact of operational parameters and coexisting ions. Finally, the potential avenues and challenges were proposed for future research.

Assessing the disparity: comparative toxicity of Copper in zebrafish larvae exposes alarming consequences of permissible concentrations in Brazil

Copper (Cu) is a naturally occurring metal with essential micronutrient properties. However, this metal might also pose increased adverse environmental and health risks due to industrial and agricultural activities. In Brazil, the maximum allowable concentration of Cu in drinking water is 2 mg/L. Despite this standard, the impact of such concentrations on aquatic organisms remains unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of CuSO4 using larval zebrafish at environmentally relevant concentrations. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae at 72 hr post-fertilization (hpf) were exposed to nominal CuSO4 concentrations ranging from 0.16 to 48 mg/L to determine the median lethal concentration (LC50), established at 8.4 mg/L. Subsequently, non-lethal concentrations of 0.16, 0.32, or 1.6 mg/L were selected for assessing CuSO4 -induced toxicity. Morphological parameters, including body length, yolk sac area, and swim bladder area, were adversely affected by CuSO4 exposure, particularly at 1.6 mg/L (3.31 mm ±0.1, 0.192 mm2 ±0.01, and 0.01 mm2 ±0.05, respectively). In contrast, the control group exhibited values of 3.62 mm ±0.09, 0.136 mm2 ±0.013, and 0.3 mm2 ±0.06, respectively. Behavioral assays demonstrated impairments in escape response and swimming capacity, accompanied by increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation. In addition, decreased levels of non-protein thiols and reduced cellular viability were noted. Data demonstrated that exposure to CuSO4 at similar concentrations as those permitted in Brazil for Cu adversely altered morphological, biochemical, and behavioral endpoints in zebrafish larvae. This study suggests that the permissible Cu concentrations in Brazil need to be reevaluated, given the potential enhanced adverse health risks of exposure to environmental metal contamination.

Speciation characteristics, ecological risk assessment, and source apportionment of heavy metals in the surface sediments of the Gomishan wetland

Metal contamination is one of the worldwide environmental issues. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration, probable environmental risk, and source of investigated elements (Al, As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn) in sediments and water of the Gomishan wetland. Sediment contamination indices revealed sediments were solely polluted by As. The potential ecological risk index (RI), toxic risk index (TRI), and chemical speciation assessments indicated no major ecological hazards for investigated metals. Correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that all studied metals in the Gomishan wetland sediments derived from natural sources. HPI, and HEI indices showed that the water quality in terms of hazardous components was inappropriate for aquatic life.

A green and simplified approach for the quantitative and sensitive analysis of heavy metal ions in sea and stream waters

Elimination of the matrix effect is a major challenge in developing a method for the quantification of heavy metals (HMs) in water samples. In this regard, the current research describes the simultaneous analyses of Cu(II), Cd(II), and Ni(II) ions in water matrices through flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS) after preconcentration with carrier element-free co-precipitation (CEFC) technique by the help of an organic co-precipitant, 3-{[5-(4-Chlorobenzyl)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl]-methyl}-4-[2,4-(dichlorobenzylidene)amino]-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5(4H)-thione (CCMBATT). Based on our literature research, CCMBATT was employed for the first time in this study as an organic co-precipitant for the preconcentration of HMs. Factors such as solution pH, concentration of co-precipitant, sample volume, standing time, centrifugation rate, and time were thoroughly examined and optimized to achieve the highest efficiency in terms of HM recovery. The limits of detection (LODs) (with 10 number of tests) of 0.54, 0.34, and 1.95 μg L-1 and the relative standard deviations (RSD %) of 2.1, 3.3, and 3.0 were determined for Cu(II), Cd(II) and Ni(II) ions, respectively. Recovery results of HMs for the spiked samples were in the range of 92.8-101.0%, demonstrating the trueness of the method and its applicability to the water samples matrix.

Transfer of chromium from environment to fish in East Kolkata wetlands - evaluation by structural equation modeling

Chromium (Cr) is a significant pollutant in the effluents from leather industries and domestic city sewage. Cr was determined in water, sediment, and different tissues (gill, muscle, intestine, liver, and kidney) of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus harvested from wastewater-fed aquaculture (WFA) situated at Bamonghata, Bantala, Chowbaga and Chingrighata of East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW), a Ramsar site in West Bengal, India. The results showed that Cr concentration in surface water ranged between 0.05 to 0.15 mg/L, while Cr was detected at high concentration (100-300 mg/kg) in the sediment soil of the first three WFAs and in moderate concentration (50-110 mg/kg) in Chingrighata WFA. Average Cr concentrations in the tissues were ranked in the following sequence: kidney>liver>intestine>gill>muscle. However, the extent of accumulation of Cr in different tissues varied between the WFAs. We used Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to determine the route of Cr transfer. The fitness of the model was evaluated by the performance measures. Cr accumulation pathways varied between the sites depending upon the level of Cr in water or sediment. Except for Bamonghata WFA, sediment was found as the principal source of accumulation of Cr in different tissues of O. niloticus. Cr refluxed from sediment into overlying water and accumulated in fish either through the food chain or through direct accumulation from water. In Bamonghata WFA, the role of sediment in the transfer of Cr could not be established due to the high water depth or biological non-availability of Cr in the sediment. It is concluded from this study that fish reared in the WFAs of EKW are still not hazardous in respect to Cr but require proper management to avoid the influx of Cr-containing effluents into the WFAs.

Spatial distribution of potentially toxic elements contaminations and risk indices of water and sediments in the Darband and Samana streams, Pakistan

This study examined potentially toxic elements (PTE) of water and sediments in the Darband and Samana streams of Hangu District. Darband and Samana streams are the main fluvial ecosystems of Hangu District, Pakistan, directly or indirectly affecting more than 0.52 Million people. Water and sediment samples were collected and analyzed for PTE utilizing inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Water characteristics of Darband and Samana streams were noted within the WHO drinking water guidelines, except for Turbidity and sulfate. Most water characteristics showed higher values in the Samana stream than in the Darband stream. Similarly, most of PTE showed higher concentrations in sediments collected from the Samana stream than the Darband stream. For ecological risk evaluation, several pollution indices were employed to assess the eco-toxicological consequences. The highest contamination factor (CF) value of 15 and 20 were exhibited by molybdenum (Mo) in the Samana and Darband streams showing very high contamination. Similarly, the pollution load index (PLI) showed that 24% of the sediment samples were polluted (PLI > 1). Furthermore, a high ecological risk in a range of 160 < ERI < 320 was observed for Mo, while a low ecological risk ERI < 40 was by As for the Darband and Samana streams sediments. Statistical techniques revealed that various anthropogenic sources primarily contaminated in water and sediment. Therefore, this study recommends regular monitoring PTE contaminations in the area to avoid any health hazards in the future.

A first study on the bioaccumulation of trace metals in Rhyssoplax olivacea (Mediterranean Polyplacophora)

This study investigates, for the first time, the bioaccumulation of trace metals in the chiton Rhyssoplax olivacea. Fe, Cu, Co, Cr and Cd were measured in the shell and soft tissue of R. olivacea sampled in five sites along the Algerian west coast during the cold and hot seasons. Physiological and contamination indices were calculated. The condition index provides information on habitat quality and on R. olivacea reproductive performance and physiological status. The metal/shell-weight index informs on the bioavailability of trace metals. The trace element pollution index is used to assign a global contamination status to the studied sites. The trace element spatial variation index ranks Cd and Cr as trace metals of primary environmental concern based on the overall variability of their levels. An exhaustive review compiling data on trace element bioaccumulation in chitons is performed. The potential use of R. olivacea as bioindicator species is discussed.

Heavy metal toxicity in poultry: a comprehensive review

Arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) have been recognized as most toxic heavy metals that are continuously released into the environment, both from natural sources and from anthropogenic production of fertilizers, industrial activities, and waste disposal. Therefore, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb are found in increasing concentrations in bodies of water, fodder, feed, and in the tissues of livestock, including poultry, in the surroundings of industrial areas, leading to metabolic, structural, and functional abnormalities in various organs in all animals. In poultry, bioaccumulation of As, Pb, Cd, and Hg occurs in many organs (mainly in the kidneys, liver, reproductive organs, and lungs) as a result of continuous exposure to heavy metals. Consumption of Cd lowers the efficiency of feed conversion, egg production, and growth in poultry. Chronic exposure to As, Pb, Cd, and Hg at low doses can change the microscopic structure of tissues (mainly in the brain, liver, kidneys, and reproductive organs) as a result of the increased content of these heavy metals in these tissues. Histopathological changes occurring in the kidneys, liver, and reproductive organs are reflected in their negative impact on enzyme activity and serum biochemical parameters. Metal toxicity is determined by route of exposure, length of exposure, and absorbed dosage, whether chronic and acute. This review presents a discussion of bioaccumulation of As, Cd, Pb, and Hg in poultry and the associated histopathological changes and toxic concentrations in different tissues.

Risk source identification and diffusion trends of metal(loid)s in stream sediments from an abandoned arsenic-containing mine

Stream sediments from mine area are a converging source of water and soil pollution. The risk and development trends of metal(loid)s pollution in sediments from an abandoned arsenic-containing mine were studied using modelling techniques. The results showed that the combined techniques of geographic information system (GIS), random forest (RF), and numerical simulation (NS) could identify risk sources and diffusion trends of metal(loid)s in mine sediments. The median values of As, Cd, Hg, and Sb in sediments were 5.01, 3.02, 5.67, and 3.20 times of the background values of stream sediments in China, respectively. As (14.09%) and Hg (18.64%) pollution in mine stream sediments were severe while As is the main potential risk source with a strong spatial correlation. High-risk blocks were concentrated in the landfill area, with the surrounding pollution shows a decreasing trend of "step-type" pollution. The risk correlation between Hg and As (55.37%) in the landfill area is high. As a case of arsenic, the diffusion capacity of As within 500m is strong and stabilizes at 1 km when driven by the flows of 0.05, 0.5, and 5 m³/s, respectively. With the worst-case scenario flow (86 m³/s), it would take only 147 days for the waters within 3 km to become highly polluted. The high pollution levels in a stream under forecast of different distance intervals (500, 1500, 2000 m) within 6.5 km is arrived at approximate 344, 357, and 384 days, respectively. The study suggested the combined technique of GIS, RF, and NS can serve the risk source identification of contaminated sites and risk forecast of toxic element diffusion in emergency situations.